1. JR Tower Hotel Nikko

A luxury hotel right at Sapporo Station’s south entrance, the JR Tower Hotel Nikko is a 4.5 star hotel that occupies several of the upper floors of the 173-metre high, 38-storey Sapporo JR Tower.

It is an excellent choice for accommodation not only for its extremely convenient location but also for its wide range of facilities, including a hot spring bath, a bathhouse, free WiFi and wired internet, an on-site restaurant, and a massage and sauna service.

It has well-equipped rooms available for single travellers, couples, and families, and costs start from 26,000 yen per room a night.

For availability and reservations, visit JR Tower Hotel Nikko’s official website.

2. La’gent Sapporo Odori

Only a 5-minute walk from Odori Station, the La’gent Sapporo Odori Hokkaido is a top-rated hotel with modern facilities and amenities for its guests.

With a hot spring bath, a restaurant, a bar, and several single, double, suite, Japanese-style, and Western-style rooms, the hotel is perfect for at least a night’s stay, whether you are travelling alone or with a group of friends or family.

Room prices start around 15,000 yen, and you can check the availability on La’gent Stay Sapporo Odori’s official website.

3. UNIZO Inn

A 3-star hotel in central Sapporo, UNIZO Inn provides easy access to many of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, including Odori Park, Sapporo Clock Tower, Sapporo TV Tower, and the Former Hokkaido Government Office.

All of its rooms are equipped with private bathrooms, refrigerator, television, heating and cooling, and WiFi, among others, and rates range from around 8,000 yen for a single room to 20,000 yen for a twin room.

The hotel also has an on-site restaurant, massage service, 24-hour front desk, and tourist assistance service.

Bookings can be made through UNIZO Inn’s official website.

4. Sapporo Park Hotel

Made up of 216 rooms, some with overlooking views of Nakajima Park, the Sapporo Park Hotel is a short walk away from Nakajima Koen Subway Station, three stops from Sapporo Station.

It offers reasonably priced single rooms and twin rooms, from 10,000 yen to 20,000 yen per night, for the budget conscious; and executive and suite rooms with private spa baths, from 40,000 to 200,000 yen per night, for those who want to splurge.

Tourist assistance, luggage service, currency exchange, and various health and wellness services are also offered by the hotel.

Visit Sapporo Park Hotel’s official website for reservations and other inquiries.

5. Mercure Hotel

Highly-rated by guests because of its central location, in the heart of the lively and vibrant Susukino district, Mercure Hotel is a modern and stylish lodging option that is close to a lot of the best sites and attractions in the city, including Odori Park, Nijo Fish Market, Sapporo Clock Tower, and Sapporo TV Tower, which are all just 10 to 15 minutes away on foot.

Great for couples, families, and groups travelling together, the hotel consists of several types of rooms equipped with air conditioning and heating, private bathrooms and toilets, and entertainment facilities. It also boasts of warm and friendly staff that speak Japanese, English, Korean, Chinese, and French.

A night typically costs from 15,000 yen to 25,000 yen.

Check Mercure Hotel Sapporo’s official website for availability and rates.

6. Richmond Hotel Sapporo Ekimae

Richmond Hotel Sapporo Ekimae is a centrally-located hotel with top-of-the-line accommodation, health and wellness, business, and dining facilities.

It offers three types of rooms — single, double, and Hollywood twin — which are all furnished with flat screen televisions with satellite and pay-per-view channels, private bathrooms and toilets, refrigerators and electric kettles, and free WiFi.

The entire property is also persons-with-disabilities-friendly, with wheelchair access, grab rails in toilets, Braille signages, and others.

A one-night stay costs between 10,000 yen and 20,000 yen.

You can book a room through Richmond Hotel Sapporo Ekimae’s official website.

7. Hotel UNWIND Sapporo

Hotel UNWIND Sapporo is a hotel that features the charm and homey atmosphere of a rural cottage, that staying there makes you forget that you are in one of the largest metropolises in Japan.

Its spacious, earth-toned rooms give off a warm and comfortable vibe, and come with soft beds, private bathrooms, minibars, flat screen televisions, mini fridges, sofas, and desks.

Room rates start from around 40,000 yen, and can accommodate couples, families, and groups.

You can learn more about the hotel or make a reservation through Hotel UNWIND Sapporo’s official website.

8. JR Inn Sapporo-eki Minami-guchi

A fairly new hotel, which opened for business in late 2016, the JR Inn Sapporo-eki Minami-guchi is a modern-style, 10-storey hotel just a 7-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station.

From 11,000 yen to 24,000 yen a night, you can enjoy a good night’s sleep in one of their clean and stylish single and twin rooms, equipped with private bathrooms, air conditioning and heating, refrigerators, flat screen televisions, and more.

The site also has a library that has a vast collection of manga and books, a public bath, parking, and laundry services.

More information is available on the JR Inn Sapporo’s official website.

9. Cross Hotel Sapporo

The high-rise Cross Hotel Sapporo is a modern hotel situated in down Sapporo, only five minutes on foot from Sapporo Station.

All of its 181 rooms offer sufficient space for guests and their luggage, and have air conditioning and heating systems, well-maintained private bathrooms, soft beds, refrigerators and electric kettles, and flat screen televisions. A night’s stay costs from 25,000 yen to 55,000 yen.

It has a number of health, wellness, relaxation options, such as a large, gender-separated public outdoor bath and indoor bath, Jacuzzi, hot tub, and massage facilities. It also has a bar and a restaurant on site.

For inquiries, reservations, and others, visit Cross Hotel Sapporo’s official website.

10. Hotel WBF Sapporo Chuo

A newly renovated hotel just a couple of minutes on foot from Odori Subway Station, the Hotel WBF Sapporo Chuo consists of 80 differently-styled rooms that can accommodate solo travelers, couples, and even families of six. Its double, twin, cabin, and suite rooms are equipped with private bathrooms with towels and toiletries, 32-inch LCD televisions, free WiFi and wired LAN, and refrigerators. Room rates vary from 15,000 yen to 40,000 yen per night.

It is a few minutes’ walk from many of Sapporo’s main points of interests, such as Sapporo TV Tower, Ramen Yokocho, Nijo Fish Market, and Odori Park.

Visit Hotel WBF Sapporo Chuo’s official website for reservations and other information on the hotel.

The post Top 10 Sapporo Hotels appeared first on Japaniverse Travel Guide.

1. Ramen Shingen Minami-6joten

Ramen Shingen Minami 6joten is a traditional Japanese restaurant that serves rich and flavourful ramen, including the local favourite, Sapporo miso ramen. Because of how highly-rated its noodle dishes are, it is one of the most popular ramen places in Sapporo and is frequently packed. It is very common to see a line of a dozen or more people outside, waiting to be seated at its L-shaped counter, which can only accommodate 12 or 13 people at a time. A ramen bowl costs less than 1,000 yen.

It is open daily from 1130 to 2500.

• Address: 8-8-2, Minami 6 Jonishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
• Contact number: +81 11 530 5002

2. Hyosetsu no Mon

Founded in 1964, Hyotetsu no Mon is the oldest traditional crab restaurant in Sapporo. It serves a wide variety of crab dishes made with hair crab, snow, crab, red king crab, and blue crab. It offers Japanese-style private dining rooms that can hold two to ten people, and large private spaces for up to 70 people.

Its menu includes full course meals comprised of grilled crabs, shrimps, sashimi, salmon, and other seafoods; and a wide selection of drinks, including sake, beer, soft drinks, whiskey and wine.

Business hours is from 1100 to 2300.

• Address: Minami 5-jo Nishi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
• Contact number: +81 11 521 3046
• Website: http://www.hyousetsu.co.jp/

3. Soup Curry & Dining Suage+

Sapporo can be really cold and chilly outside the summer months, so enjoying some hot curry soup to warm you up is highly recommended. The Soup Curry & Dining Suage+ is one of the city’s most famous soup curry restaurants because of its great quality soup curry, often served with pork and rice, in varying levels of spiciness. A bowl costs around 1,000 to 1,200 yen.

The restaurant is open from 1130 to 2230 daily.

• Address: 7 Chome 1-1 Maruyama Nishimachi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
• Contact number: +81 11 624 6766
• Website: http://www.suage.info/#

4. Gotsubo

To feast on some fresh and appetizing shellfish, Gotsubo is the place that you are looking for. The restaurant is small, can only seat five at a time, so lines of people waiting to place their orders or eating while standing outside are quite common, especially during peak hours.

Among its specialties are scallops, clams, and oysters, which cost around 105 yen per piece and are served either fresh, grilled, or boiled, and come with lemon and other special sauces to enhance the flavours.

It is open every day from 1800 until 2400.

• Address: 4 Minami 6-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
• Contact number: +81 11 551 7220
• Website: Gotsubo

5. Ebisoba Ichigen Sohonten

Another ramen restaurant to visit while in Sapporo is the Ebisoba Ichigen Sohonten, which is popular for its delicious ramen in thick soup base that comes in salt, soy, or miso flavour, and served with soft boiled eggs, shrimps, onions, pork, dumplings, and other toppings. It also offers side menus, like rice and rice balls, and beverages, like beer, orange juice, soft drinks, and oolong tea.

The restaurant has a 16-seater counter, and a bowl costs 780 yen.

It is open Mondays through Sundays, from 1100 to 2500.

• Address: 9-1024-10 Minami 7 Jonishi Chuo-ku, Sapporo
• Contact Number: +81 11 513 0098
• Website: http://www.ebisoba.com/

6. Toriton Kaitensushi Sapporo Toyohira

For some of the best sushi in Sapporo, drop by Toriton Kaitensushi Sapporo Toyohira, a mid-sized but very busy conveyor-belt sushi restaurant with a wide variety of sushi to offer, such as uni gunkan-maki (sea urchin), ikura (salmon roe), shellfish, fresh salmon, and saury fish. It also serves different kinds of ramen and soup.

Sushi costs around 120 yen to 530 yen per plate.

To avoid the crowds, it is best to go there around 2 to 5 in the afternoon.

• Address: 4-6 Toyohira, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo
• Contact number: +81 11 817 7788
• Website: http://toriton-kita1.jp/english

The restaurant has several other branches across Sapporo — in Maruyama, Kiyota, Hiragishi, Atsubetsu, Sakaemachi, Fushiko, and Kita 8 Kosei.

7. Tokachi Butadon Ippin Sapporo

The moment you enter Tokachi Butadon Ippin Sapporo, your nose is welcomed by the strong but delicious aroma of grilled pork cooked over charcoal. Typically served in a rice bowl topped with different herbs and spices, and miso soup on the side, a donburi or rice bowl set costs around 800 yen to 1,000 yen. Salads, tofu, mocha, pickled vegetables, desserts, and drinks, such as draft beer, tea, and juices, are also available.

It is open for business every day, from 1100 to 2300, and offers an English menu.

• Address: 6^th floor Stellar Place Center, 2-5 Kita Gojonishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
• Contact Number: +81 11 741 8555
• Website: http://www.butadon-ippin.com/

8. Hanamaru Sushi

Thanks to Sapporo being close to the sea, it has an abundance of sushi restaurants, such as Hanamaru Sushi, which serve only fresh and high quality sushi.

Different kinds of sushi are served on small plates and delivered around the dining area on a conveyor belt. Because the restaurant is often packed, with waiting times up to an hour, it is advised to book a reservation in advance.

Sushi plates cost from around 140 yen to 500 yen.

The restaurant’s opening hours begin at 1100 until 2300, Mondays through Sundays, and it has multiple locations in Sapporo:

• Susukino Location Address: Sapporo M-SQUAEW 2F, 2-4, Nishi 2, Minami 4, Chuoh-ku, Sapporo
  Contact number：+ 81 11 520 0870
• PASEO Location Address: PASEO WEST B1F, 1-7, Nishi 2, Kita 6, Kita-ku, Sapporo
  TEL：+81 11 213 5870
• Clock Tower Location Address: Sapporo Tokeidai Building 1F, 2-1, Kita 1, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
  Contact Number：+81 11 231 0870
• Website: http://www.sushi-hanamaru.com/la_en/index.html

9. Sapporo Beer Garden Genghis Khan

Did you know that you can try lamb meat dishes in Sapporo? Sapporo Beer Garden specializes in grilled healthy lamb meat, known as Genghis Khan. It is served with vegetables on the side and the Genghis Khan sauce, which is a unique mix of lemon, apple, salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices that give the dish a strong and delightful flavour. It is best enjoyed with a pint of ice cold Sapporo Beer.

• Address: 9-2-10 Kita7jo, Higashi-ku Sapporo
• Contact number: +81 12 015 0550
• Website: https://www.sapporo-bier-garten.jp/global/english.html

10. Kushidori Sapporo Kitaguchi

Kushidori is a yakitori restaurant that has several branches not only in Sapporo, but also in other parts of Japan. It is a favourite among locals and foreigners because of its reasonably priced menu that offers a wide selection of grilled meat (chicken, pork, and beef) and innards, including tebasaki (grilled chicken wing), buta aspara maki (grilled asparagus wrapped in pork), tori kawa (chicken skin grilled to crisps), grilled ox tongue and diaphragm, grilled pork liver and intestines, and cheese tsukene (grilled chicken stuffed with melted cheese.

Yakitori costs 150 yen per stick.

The restaurant has 128 seats, and is open for lunch from 1100 to 1400, and dinner from 1630 to 2430.

• Address: 4-8-3 Nishi Kita 7-jo, Kita-ku, Sapporo
• Contact Number: +81 11 758 2989
• Website: https://kushidori.com/

The post Top 10 Sapporo Restaurants appeared first on Japaniverse Travel Guide.

If you are thinking of including Sapporo to your next trip’s itinerary, the following are 10 best spots that you should not miss:

1. Odori Park

Nestled in the heart of Sapporo, Odori Park is a wide and spacious park that extends about one kilometer from east to west, dividing the city into north and south.

Every Sapporo Snow Festival, it serves as the primary event site, where you can find some of the best ice statues and snow sculptures that come in all shapes and sizes. In the summer, it hosts the YOSAKOI, the Summer Festival, and the Beer Garden events. It also offers great viewing spots during the cherry blossoms and the autumn leaves seasons.

It is located right next to the Odori Subway Station, or a 10-minute walk away from JR Sapporo Station.

2. Sapporo TV Tower

Standing at the eastern end of Odori Park, Sapporo TV Tower is a 147.2-metre high tower that houses an observatory (about 90 metres high up the ground) that provides a 360-degree view of the metropolis.

Built by Japanese architect Tachu Naito and inaugurated in 1957, the tower has a total of five storeys and features four large digital clocks on each of its four sides. The base is home to a number of shops and a tourist information center, the second floor to the administration office and a hall, and the third to a restaurant and a souvenir store. It also has a basement that links to an underground shopping arcade, called the Aurora Town, and is connected to a couple of other underground passages that lead to Susukino Station and Sapporo Station.

For information on ticket prices, opening hours, and more, visit Sapporo TV Tower’s official website.

3. Sapporo Clock Tower

A historic and cultural icon in central Sapporo, the Clock Tower is an old, wooden building constructed in 1878, with a large clock that was bought from Boston, Massachusetts and installed in 1881.

Declared a National Important Cultural Property in 1970, it is made up of multiple floors that houses a wide variety of exhibits that tell the story of the tower’s and Sapporo’s past, information on the origins of the clock, and a large ceremony hall.

It is only 10 minutes on foot from JR Sapporo Station.

Check out the Clock Tower’s official website for information on opening hours, tickets, and more.

4. Sapporo Beer Museum

Sapporo Beer is one of Japan’s first and most renowned beers, and what better way to enjoy it to the fullest than to visit the Sapporo Beer Museum?

Founded in 1987, the Sapporo Beer Museum stands on the site of an old brewery from the Meiji Era. It has a vast collection of exhibitions that offer an extensive look at the beginnings and development of beer and brewing in the region through the years, and offers beer tasting sessions to visitors for a small charge. After your visit, you can indulge yourself on some all-you-can-eat barbecue and all-you-can-drink beer at the Sapporo Beer Garden, which is situated right next to the museum.

From JR Sapporo Station, the museum is about 25 minutes on foot.

5. Mount Moiwa

Mount Moiwa is best known for its incredible views of Sapporo, most especially after the sun sets. Visitors may take the Mount Moiwa Ropeway starting from the lower station at the base of the mountain to the upper station, which houses an observation deck, a theatre, a planetarium, and a restaurant.

Every winter, the southeastern slope of Mount Moiwa becomes a ski resort that offers many runs and is easily accessible from central Sapporo.

The Mount Moiwa lower ropeway station is about a short walk or bus ride via the free shuttle bus from the Ropeway Iriguchi streetcar station.

Ropeway operating hours, admission fees, and other information are available on Mount Moiwa Ropeway’s official website.

6. Historical Village of Hokkaido

With a collection of 60 old buildings and houses from around the Hokkaido region, the Historical Village of Hokkaido, or Kaitaku no Mura, is an open air museum that features important aspects of the local lifestyle from the Meiji and Taisho Eras. It provides a peek on what it was like to live in farms, mountains, fishing villages, and small towns back in the day.

To get there, get on a local train at Sapporo Station going to Shinrin Koen Station or Shin-Sapporo Station, and then take a bus.

More information is available on the Historical Village of Hokkaido’s official website.

7. Susukino

With an abundance of restaurants, pachinko parlors, bars, karaoke houses, and shops, Susukino is Sapporo’s red light district and entertainment hub. It is where you can find the famous Ramen Yokocho, a narrow alley lined with small diners that offer Sapporo’s best ramen.

During the Sapporo Snow Festival, Susukino becomes covered with numerous amazing snow statues, and hosts an ice sculpture contest.

It is easily accessible via the Susukino Station, which is just two stops away from Sapporo Station.

8. Maruyama Park

Home to the Hokkaido Shrine, the Maruyama Baseball Stadium, the Maruyama Athletics Stadium, and the Maruyama Zoo, Maruyama Park is a 68.7-hectare park in the western outskirts of Sapporo. It offers many opportunities to enjoy nature, with its thriving virgin forest of maples, magnolia, oak, and various other trees. It is the most visited cherry blossom spot in the city, thanks to its more than 1,500 cherry trees that look gorgeous and magical usually around early May.

The park is a 3-minute walk away from Maruyama-Koen Station.

9. Sapporo Factory

For those who love to shop and dine, drop by Sapporo Factory and check out its more than 150 souvenir shops, boutiques, clothing stores, cafes, and restaurants. The five-storey entertainment complex offers a pleasant and vibrant atmosphere usually from 10 am up until 10 pm, and even has a small brewery where you can enjoy some fine quality beer.

For more information, visit Sapporo Factory’s official website.

10. Moerenuma Park

Moerenuma Park is a spacious green space located in the suburbs of Sapporo. It was designed by Japanese-American Isamu Noguchi, and boasts of a variety of unique and impressive structures, such as a glass pyramid building, a water fountain, playgrounds, and a man-made mountain and beach.

It is a 25-minute bus ride away from the Kanjodori-higashi Subway Station.

Opening hours and other information are found on Moerenuma Park’s official website.

The post Top 10 Sapporo Attractions appeared first on Japaniverse Travel Guide.

If you are planning to travel to Japan for the first time, whether as a tourist, school, or work you will have a much better experience if you do some research before your journey to the country. This article will tell you some of the must-know facts about Japan and I hope it will help you with your future travels!

Without further ado let us dive into the mysterious world of Japan.

Transportation – Unlike most Western countries, 90% of your travel is going to be done by public transportation. The public transportation system in Japan is extremely efficient. Be it a train or a bus, everything is scheduled to exacting precision. Even though this is very convenient and reliable it can also be a bit of a pain in the neck. When I came to Japan for the first time as a tourist, I thought that I could manage to catch the bus even if I was a couple minutes late. The only thing I managed to do was to see the back of the bus as it was leaving on time according to schedule. Make sure to be careful how you time your travel.

Shrines and Temples – If you are in Japan then it is a given you will want to visit Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Some of these can be extremely majestic and leave a huge impression on you. However it would not be a bad idea to keep in mind that most of the temples close to public after 17:00, while the majority of the shrines can be visited even during the nighttime.

Medical Masks – You will most certainly see a lot of people wearing medical masks in Japan. But fret not! This is not a sign of an epidemic or anything of the like. People in Japan wear medical masks when they are sick, do not have any makeup on, do not want their faces to be seen or just in general try to blend in with the public and be ignored. This being said, foreigners wearing medical masks might get some stares from the natives.

Vending Machines – Japan has vending machines for pretty much any purpose: alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, snacks, ramen, fruits, ice-cream, cigarettes, toys, etc. They are literally everywhere. The best thing about the vending machines in Japan is that they provide you with cold, as well as hot drinks. An amazing appliance for the hot summers and cold winters of Japan. But then again, do not overdo it! Vending machines tend to charge you more than a store would, and there is probably a combini (convenience store) just around the corner.

Combini – Talking about the combini, I just want to let you know these are one of the most convenient things I have ever experienced in my whole life! These type of stores are open 24/7 and you can get practically anything there (food, drinks, snacks, makeup appliances, underwear and tights, gloves and hats, etc there is literally no end to it). In a combini you can use the toilet, get connected to free wifi, heat up your food and even get hot or iced coffee from the coffee machine! Quite amazing no?

Restaurants and Cafes – In most Japanese restaurants and cafes you will be served water or tea when seated. This varies from place to place and season to season. For example, during summer you may be served ice water or iced tea, while in winter it will most likely be hot tea. This is complimentary and you can get refills as many times as your heart desires.

Shoes – This is perhaps one of the most important things you want to know about Japan. When entering somebody’s home you will be expected to take your shoes off at the entrance. You may or may not be given some slippers to wear. Entering your host’s house with your shoes on can be taken as an insult. As a matter of fact, you might be asked to take your shoes off when entering the changing rooms of a clothes store. Additionally, you will be required to remove your shoes when entering some very old and famous temples. In general, try to wear shoes that are easy to take off and put back on since that is something you will probably do frequently during your stay in Japan.

Skinship (Public Display of Affection) – As a Westerner myself, I usually greet my friends with a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek. When making a new acquaintance I usually exchange a handshake. That’s pretty common and normal right? Well, not in Japan. Do not get very touchy-feely with your Japanese friends, hosts, and acquaintances. In Japan skinship is only reserved for close family and in a place away from the public eyes. You will probably see a lot of couples walking around the cities of Japan not holding hands and especially not kissing in the public. This is considered to be very embarrassing. In short, know your boundaries.

Onsen (Hot Springs) – Now this is something that’s talked about a lot around the world. Japan is situated above a huge number of volcanoes, hence it is not very surprising that the country is overflowing with hot springs. They have been a part of Japanese culture since ye olden times! However, entering one might be quite shocking for a Western tourist. For starters, you have to be naked from head to toe! Quite an interesting experience believe me. Make sure to at least rinse your whole body before getting into the water, and get a thorough shower afterwards. Nonetheless, entering an onsen feels amazing! Do not miss the opportunity to experience this, even if it is embarrassing to get naked in front of dozens of strangers!

Japan is not anime – This might sound like something very obvious, but I have met so many people who think that Japan is identical to its portrayal in an anime but believe me it is not. Like any other country, Japan too, has its quirks. While Japanese people are some of the kindest I’ve ever met in the whole world, it doesn’t mean that you will be treated nicely all of the time. You may be looked down on just because you are a foreigner. There are also a lot of internal problems which will not be visible to the casual observer whose visit lasts a couple weeks or months. Even if the country is the dream of every otaku (hardcore anime fan) it will most probably be quite different from their expectations.

Japan is an extremely unique and pleasurable travel destination that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime

The post Ten Must-Know Customs Before Travelling to Japan appeared first on Japaniverse Travel Guide.

1. Hotel Granvia Osaka

Address: 〒530-0001, Osaka, Osaka City, Kita Ward, Umeda 3-1-1
Website: http://www.hotelgranviaosaka.jp/

Located right above JR Osaka Station, Hotel Granvia Osaka offers an unrivalled view of commercial district Umeda. Their rooms are simple and elegant, fitted with a fridge, a fully-furnished bathroom, cable TV, and a mini-bar. There is also free Wi-fi in every room.

Admire the view while dining in French/Italian restaurant “Fleuve” or stylish bar “Sandbank”. There are also Japanese and Chinese restaurants to choose from. If nothing catches your fancy, head down to Daimaru Shopping Mall for a whole host of other options.

Hotel Granvia Osaka is conveniently located 5 minutes by train from the bullet train station Shin-Osaka. Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is also 10 minutes away, and you can buy tickets at the hotel reception desk. Numerous shopping malls, such as the Hankyu Department Store, are within walking distance.

2. Hotel Osaka Baytower

Address: 〒552-0007, Osaka, Osaka City, Minato Ward, Benten 1-2-1
Website: http://www.osaka-baytower.com/english/

Hotel Osaka Baytower claims to offer the best night view of Osaka to its guests. Each room is furnished with a flat-screen TV, sitting room, fridge, room wear, and complimentary green tea. Laptops are also available for rent.

Conveniently located near both the JR train and subway stations, the hotel itself houses many facilities, including 5 eateries, a souvenir store, and a hair salon. There is also a cake shop selling limited pastries. Head up to the 51st floor for dinner at the “Airship” restaurant and an unparalleled view of the city below.

Most of Osaka’s attractions, such as Universal Studios Japan (USJ), Umeda, Dotonbori, and Namba are located a mere 15 minutes away by train. There is also a direct line to Kansai International Airport from JR Bentencho Station.

3. RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka

Address: 〒530-0005, Osaka, Osaka City, Kita Ward, Nakanoshima 5-3-68
Website: http://www.rihga.com/osaka

If you’re looking for simple, modern accommodations, RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka may be the best pick for you. Furnished with air conditioning, a desk, fridge, electric kettle, and cable TV, there is nothing lacking in this hotel’s rooms.

Inside the premises, you can utilize the fitness center, rooftop pool (with jacuzzi), massage services, and karaoke facilities. For meals, there are Chinese and Japanese restaurants, as well as bars and cafes if you just want to chill.

RIHGA Royal Hotel offers its guests free shuttle bus rides to and from JR Osaka Station. The shuttle bus also runs between the hotel and Herbis Osaka, where you can catch a limousine bus to Kansai International Airport. Popular tourist spots such as Namba and Shinsaibashi are 10 minutes away by train.

4. Hearton Hotel Nishi Umeda

Address: 〒530-0001, Osaka, Osaka City, Kita Ward, Umeda 3-3-55
Website: http://heartonhotel.com/nis.aspx

For a simple, fuss-free stay, opt for the Hearton Hotel located in Nishi Umeda. Its rooms are furnished with an LCD TV, fridge, electric kettle, room wear, slippers, and free Wi-fi.

Restaurant “Garden Café” offers a buffet breakfast and lunch, as well as a-la-carte dinner. For those who are staying for a longer time, a launderette can be found in the hotel’s basement floor.

Hearton Hotel Nishi Umeda is located near numerous subway train stations. Universal Studios Japan (USJ), Namba, and Shinsaibashi are 15 minutes away by train, and Osaka Castle 30 minutes.

5. Hotel New Otani Osaka

Address: 〒540-8578, Osaka, Osaka City, Chuo Ward, Shiromi 1-4-1
Website: http://www.hotelnewotaniosaka.jp/

Hotel New Otani Osaka has the advantage of being situated right in front of Osaka Castle. Known for their large guest rooms, each suite comes with a large window that offers a beautiful view of the city, as well as an LCD TV, mini-bar, and free Wi-Fi.

If you don’t feel like venturing out for the day, the hotel has you covered. Opt for spa services such as a soak in the jacuzzi or sauna, or a relaxing massage session, or check out the various shops and restaurants within the premises. We recommend a meal in “Keyaki” restaurant, which offers great views through its windows, then a cocktail at the Sky Lounge to wash it down.

JO-TERRACE OSAKA, a bustling shopping district, is just a 5-minute walk away from the hotel. If you would like to visit Osaka Castle, tickets can be bought at the hotel reception desk. Those who wish to venture further out can make use of the express shuttle buses that run between the hotel and Kyoto.

6. The Westin Osaka

Address: 〒531-0076, Osaka, Osaka City, Kita Ward, Oyodonaka 1-1-20
Website: http://www.westin-osaka.co.jp.e.iu.hp.transer.com/

Look no further than The Westin Osaka for a quiet refuge right in the heart of the city. With its soft lighting and soundproof walls, it’s hard to spend a sweaty day out sightseeing when you can kick back and watch the world go by through your room’s giant panorama window and take a long soak in your very own granite bathtub.

The hotel is also equipped with a fitness center that offers a sauna, jacuzzi, treadmills, a fitness room, and an indoor pool, for a reasonable charge. After your workout, reward yourself with a meal at Japanese restaurant “Hanano”, which offers a range of traditional dishes from sushi and teppanyaki to tempura.

Located next to the Umeda Sky Building, The Westin Osaka is right in the middle of town, with Osaka Castle and Dotonbori easily accessible by train or taxi. There is also a free shuttle bus service from the hotel to Osaka Station.

7. Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka

Address: 〒556-0017, Osaka, Osaka City, Naniwa Ward, Minatomachi 1-2-3
Website: https://www.hotelmonterey.co.jp/en/grasmere_osaka/

Shopaholics, this hotel is for you! Located next to Namba Station, Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka is a 5-minute walk away from Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori, Osaka’s busiest shopping districts.

The rooms are designed in a Western-style, with air-conditioning, a fridge, humidifier, flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi. DVD players and laptops are available for rent at the front desk, too. Do check out their in-house French restaurant ESCALE, decorated with priceless antiques and windows which offer an amazing night view of Osaka.

The hotel is situated next to the OCAT building, where you can easily catch shuttle buses to both Kansai International and Itami Airports. Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is also a 25-minute train ride away.

8. City Plaza Osaka

Address: 〒540-0029, Osaka, Osaka City, Chuo Ward, Hommachi-bashi 2-31
Website: http://www.cityplaza.or.jp/syukuhaku/english.html

City Plaza Osaka is best known for its rooftop spa, which includes an open-air bath and massage chairs that are free to use for hotel guests. Other rental facilities include an indoor heated pool, a stress-relieving sauna, and a fitness room. The comfortable rooms come with a flat-screen TV, electric kettle, room wear, and free Internet.

For meals, check out “Ooe” for Japanese cuisine, or if you’re hungry, visit “Rivage” for a delicious buffet spread. There’s also a tavern called “TATSUMIYA” on the 14th floor for those who enjoy their wine.

The hotel is located 6 minutes away from subway Sakaisuji-Hommachi Station. From there, it is a 10-minute ride to Dotonbori shopping district, and 15 minutes to Osaka Castle.

9. Swissotel Nankai Osaka

Address: 〒542-0076, Osaka, Osaka City, Chuo Ward, Namba 5-1-60
Website: http://www.swissotel.com/hotels/nankai-osaka/

Swissotel Nankai Osaka is a 5-star luxury hotel located right in the heart of Osaka City’s shopping and entertainment district. Featuring an indoor pool, spa, free Wi-Fi in all rooms and 7 restaurants, there is nothing more you can ask for.

Rooms come equipped with air-conditioning, an LCD TV, fridge, and an extra-long bed for maximum comfort. Some suite even come with a Nespresso coffee machine. Restaurant “TAVOLA36” is a must-visit for its panoramic view of the city from the windows, while Chinese restaurant “EMPRESS ROOM” serves up absolutely delicious dimsum and Chinese wine.

Famous shopping malls such as Namba Parks and Takashimaya, as well as Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi shopping districts, are all within walking distance from the hotel. The nearest station is Nankai-Namba Station, with express trains straight to Kansai Internation Airport and bullet train station Shin-Osaka Station.

10. Hotel Universal Port Osaka

Address: 〒554-0031, Osaka, Osaka City, Konohana Ward, Sakurajima 1-1-111
Website: http://www.hoteluniversalport.jp/en/

Located just 4 minutes away from Universal Studios Japan (USJ), this family-friendly hotel is the best bet for those with little ones who just can’t wait to visit the theme park. Each room comes with air-conditioning, a fridge, electric kettle, cable TV, as well as free Wi-Fi.

The hotel’s restaurant, “port dining rico rico”, offers a buffet-style breakfast to get you ready for a day of fun at USJ. Laundry and dry-cleaning services are also available for long-staying guests.

Hotel Universal Hotel Osaka is a 20-minute train ride away from Shin-Osaka and Umeda Stations. Downtown Namba is a short 25-minute ride away as well.

The post Top 10 Hotels in Osaka appeared first on Japaniverse Travel Guide.

Universal Studios Japan, more affectionately known to the locals as USJ, is a must-visit for any visitor. Located right in the heart of Osaka’s main city, it’s a huge theme park featuring 9 different areas, each based on a famous Hollywood movie. From Jurassic Park roller coasters and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to the newly-opened Minion Park, there’s something for everyone, child or adult. If you’re in the area during the holidays, you can even join special events hosted during Halloween or Christmas.

2. Osaka Castle

It goes without saying that you can’t visit Osaka without seeing Osaka Castle. Built by feudal lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the 16th century, the castle still stands tall today, with its surrounding park a favorite gathering spot for the locals. The best time to visit is in the afternoon, where you can spend the time in the museum within the castle and wandering around the park. The castle lights up at night with the help of artfully-placed illuminations, so make sure to snap a shot before you leave.

3. Kaiyukan Aquarium

Lovers of the sea should not miss out on Kaiyukan, one of Japan’s best-kept aquariums featuring marine creatures from all corners of the world. With 14 large tanks, the aquarium is linked via tunnels so it feels like you’re walking through an underwater world. Check out their official website for feeding times, especially for their star attraction, the whale sharks. The aquarium is also actively involved in research and conservation efforts, so do your part to fund these projects by dropping by their gift shop at the end of your visit to purchase some adorable merchandise!

4. Hirakata Park

A theme park located in Hirakata City, this attraction is perfect for travelers who prefer not to join the crowds at USJ. A hidden gem that’s relatively undiscovered by tourists but popular among the locals, the park boasts a mega-speed roller coaster with a track constructed of wood. Other rides include merry-go-rounds, a giant Ferris Wheel, haunted mansions, and a large pool that functions as a pool or skating rink, depending on the season. They also host frequent collaborations with Japanese anime, so you may just meet beloved characters such as Pikachu wandering around the park!

5. Dotonbori

No trip to Osaka is complete without a journey down to Dotonbori, perhaps the best-known tourist attraction in the region. Check out the iconic mechanical crab and octopus decorations that adorn popular restaurants, and get a selfie with the world-famous Glico Man sign. If you’re feeling hungry, there is no shortage of places offering delicious, piping-hot food. Recommended places include Kanidouraku (crab), Kururu takoyaki (look for the giant octopus sign), and Kinryu ramen. If you’re feeling super adventurous, you can even try a 3-course dinner featuring the deadly puffer fish!

6. Shin-sekai

Experience Japan at the height of its economic boom at Shin-sekai, a small town located a couple of train stations from bustling Namba. Known for its unique atmosphere, Shin-sekai is best experienced at night, when the area comes alive with locals who come to make merry in the restaurants after a hard day’s work. Pop into any of the area’s restaurants to try Osaka’s famous dish, kushikatsu or deep-fried skewers, or venture to the top of Tsuutenkaku Tower for a lovely sunset view.

7. Spa World

Located a stone’s throw away from Shin-sekai, Spa World is located inside a nondescript building close to Shin-imamiya Station. The place features different types of bathhouses from all over the world, divided into 2 floors, European and Asian-styles. With 52 bathing areas, you can always find a spot to enjoy the bubbling hot waters all by yourself. Remember to check out the Dr.SPA area, which offers oxygen, hydrogen, and carbonic acid baths to ease aches and pains and improve your health.

8. Umeda Sky Building

8-minute’s walk from Osaka Station, the Umeda Sky Building is a symbol of Osaka’s status as the second-largest metropolis in Japan. With over 40 floors, the building offers attractions like a cinema, restaurants, event halls, and a open-air viewing platform 170m above ground level. It is best visited at night, when you’ll get a breathtaking 360-view of the glimmering lights of business district Umeda and the surrounding areas.

9. Banpaku Park

You may recognize Banpaku Park from its strange and slightly creepy monument, the Tower of the Sun, a reminder of when Osaka hosted the World Expo in 1970. The park also boasts gardens, natural museums, hot springs, and sports facilities for a fun day out. If you’re around the area in spring, Banpaku Park is one of Osaka’s best locations for cherry blossom viewing. At the end of the day, drop by Expo City, a shopping complex nearby, for dinner and a night ride on Japan’s tallest Ferris wheel.

10. Shinsaibashi

You can’t leave Osaka without luggage bags filled to the brim with shopping, and the best place to do that is at Shinsaibashi. Consisting of a series of sheltered shopping arcades, there is seemingly no end to this shopping paradise. Choose from shoebox-size stores along the arcades for affordable clothes, shoes, and souvenirs, or venture into any of the large shopping complexes to shop at branded stores for Japan-limited items. Remember to drop by GU, a Japanese discount casual wear retailer, as well as Uniqlo and Daiso fulfill all your shopping needs.

The post Top 10 Attractions in Osaka appeared first on Japaniverse Travel Guide.